Special Project (SP)

Turn real SONLab research into a credited course project

If you want to experience day-to-day research in an active lab, Special Project courses are the most direct path. In SONLab, SP students contribute to ongoing research directions ranging from live-cell interaction measurements (FRET/FIR) to signaling biology and computational pipelines.

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One SONLab Special Project Track (Two Course Codes)

Special Project in SONLab

There is no major difference in the SONLab SP experience; you register the course offered by your home department.

Hands-on research Weekly progress Reports Supervision required
Important: This page explains SONLab’s SP workflow and expectations. The official course rules (e.g., departmental credit conditions) are determined by your department and the university. For SONLab grading dates/weights, see the current announcement: SP Details - Spring 2026.

What Kind of Projects Can You Do?

Your SP should connect to an active SONLab research direction. Below are examples of project directions (see the full descriptions on the Research page).

Live-cell interaction measurements (FRET/FIR)

Quantitative imaging • interaction dynamics • reproducible pipelines

  • KRas dimerization dynamics and downstream signaling readouts
  • K-Ras / Gα heterodimerization mechanisms affecting Raf activation
  • Standardized workflows for image acquisition and analysis

Automation & analysis pipelines

Python tooling • high-throughput analysis • data quality

  • Automated confocal microscope imaging & data processing
  • ROI detection, denoising, analysis-ready dataset creation
  • Exploratory machine learning on processed interaction images

Neurobiology & disease-focused signaling questions

Cell models • apoptosis & pathways • mechanistic interpretation

  • SPOCK1 and apoptosis pathways in nerve cell models
  • GPCR/Arrestin signaling and pathway bias
  • Cross-talk between GPCR signaling and Ras pathways

Computational structural biology

Modeling • simulations • hypothesis-driven validation

  • Structure-function analysis of interaction interfaces
  • Molecular dynamics simulations in membrane environments
  • Designing mutations to test mechanistic models

Rules & Regulations (SONLab)

  1. First step: get the initial approval of the PI before the semester starts.
  2. Check departmental eligibility: SP is offered to 4th-year students in both Fall and Spring semesters and requires a minimum 2.75 CGPA.
  3. Have maximum 4 course registrations in the semester you wish to take SP (SP + maximum 3 other courses is allowed).
  4. Secure a PhD or MSc student as your supervisor (mutual agreement required for admission). Without securing one, you cannot take the course.
  5. Be present in the lab during the times decided by the supervisor.
  6. Minimum 6 hours of attention per week to earn the course credits (departmental condition).
  7. Complete the weekly assigned lab works on time.

Who to Contact (after approvals)

Ahmet Zübeyir NURSOY

SP Coordinator (SONLab): Ahmet Zübeyir NURSOY

PhD Student • Biochemistry

zubeyir.nursoy@metu.edu.tr
Once you have PI approval and a supervisor in the SONLab team, inform the SP coordinator to align expectations, timeline, and grading deliverables.

Current Grading Policy (Spring 2026)

The most up-to-date grading policy is maintained on the Announcements page. For convenience, the Spring 2026 policy is reproduced below.

Assignment Weight
1st Report 10%
2nd Report 10%
Presentation 10%
Final Report 30%
Supervisor Consent 40%